20 Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Encourage kids to show sweet sentiments with tokens of affection that go beyond the store-bought card. Most of the projects require only a bit of cutting and a little gluing; all can be decorated to their heart's desire.

"You don't bug me," says a googly-eyed caterpillar. "You're cool" as an ice cream cone. "Stuck on you" like a desert cactus. These punny sayings paired with pom-pom cartoons will have the classroom erupting into happy giggles.

Three special words: "Be my Valen-slime!" Whip up a batch of this fluffy, soft goo as a fun and easy science activity to do with kids. Try adding red glitter, confetti hearts, or pretty-in-pink colors. Then, simply package in a jar and top it off with one of our printable punny labels.

Valentine's Day Treat Packages

To make these custom treat packages, cut out a picture of your child, scan it, and print onto heavyweight matte paper. Cut tags using pinking shears for the bottom edges, draw hearts, and stamp or write a message on each one. Fold the tags and tape them to cellophane bags filled with sweets.

If the sun seems to peer right into your window, give it something pretty to look at -- and through. These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons. In return, sunbeams will color your room with cheer.

Fill flattened cupcake liners with candy for a treat you won't have to bake. The liners' pleats nicely frame scrap-art pictures or paper hearts (we used scalloping scissors to trim some). Use a craft punch or paper flowers to make cute borders.

Patterned Paper Wrap

Store- bought treats are more special when covered in pretty patterned paper. Pen a note on the underside or on a tag attached with waxed twine. Tuck gum into a card stock "matchbook" stamped with a message; sticks of gum sold in large packs often have plain white wrappers that are perfect for decorating with stickers. A lollipop adorned with a sticker and taped to a card stock heart will also be welcome, as would button candy slipped into a small paper bag embellished with die-cut scrap art (available at crafts stores).